12/18/2025
LaOuida McKnight
A Life Dedicated to Faith, Family and Community Service
LaOuida Wilkins McKnight, beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother passed away peacefully on December 17, 2025 at Post Acute Transitional, Jackson, TN. She was a resident of Brookdale Jackson Oaks.
LaOuida was the daughter of Otus and Aileene Wilkins of Oakfield. She was born December 13, 1929 on a frigid snowy night in the Gibson Community. Her father paid the doctor in country ham. She was raised on working farms in Gibson and Madison Counties. She graduated from Malesus High School in 1948 where she played basketball and excelled at 4-H on both the state and national levels. She attended the University of Tennessee at Knoxville on 4H Scholarship majoring in Animal Husbandry with a concentration on Dairy. Hardship on the Farm brought her back to Madison County in 1950. Her return home began her 40 year career with Southern Bell (AT&T) where she started in Humboldt. Walking to work, she met a handsome young man, Charles McKnight. They were married later that year, December 17, 1950.
Her 40 year career began as a switchboard operator working into lead, work order, executive secretary and phone center manager. She was active in the Communication Workers of America and The Telephone Pioneers. Politically active in the Democratic Party for 60 years, she attended two National Conventions as a delegate, Chicago 1968 and Miami 1972. A member of the Conservative "Blue Dog" Coalition who campaigned in local, state and presidential elections. Later in life, her political affiliation switched to Republican where she became active again. As she would tell you; "the Democrats kicked us Blue Dogs out!"
LaOuida was deeply spiritual, a member of the First United Methodist Church, Humboldt where she was active in the Choir. She was a past president of the Humboldt Music Club. She was affiliated with the Englewood Methodist Church, Englewood, FL.
For 10 years after retirement beginning in 1990 she continued her community service as an Ombudsman for the Humboldt Nursing Home and the Red Wagon Program. She was a former board founding member of the Helping Hand, Humboldt.
A huge Elvis fan, she attended his last Memphis concert, July 1976, with her daughter Mary Jane and sister Gaynell Yarbro. You didn't need a tour guide if you went with her to Graceland.
An inductee of the OES Gavel Club, twice Worthy Matron of Eastern Star, active in the Jackson, TN and Venice, FL chapters. She loved spending her winters with her daughter in Venice, FL.
Her 75th Birthday, December 2004 was marked by Senate Proclamation by the State of Tennessee as an outstanding citizen for volunteerism.
LaOuida was preceded in death by her husband, Charles McKnight; sister, Bobbie Jean Wilkins; grandson, Gray Parker and son-in-law, Doug Parker.
She is survived by her sister, Gaynell Yarbro, brother, Wayne (Odie) Wilkins, daughter, Mary Jane Parker; son, Charles (Mack) McKnight; daughter-in-law, Ronda Smith McKnight; granddaughter, Joni McKnight (Cam); grandson, Charles(Chas) McKnight (Ashley); granddaughter, Julia Lowry (Steve), great grandson, Levi McKnight; great granddaughter, Ella McKnight.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, December 22, 2025 at Oak Grove Methodist Church in the Edison Community with Pastor Kenny Perry officiating. Visitation will be held prior from 11 a.m. until service time. Burial will follow in Oak Grove Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Oak Grove Cemetery Society, 1402 Bradford Dr., Humboldt, TN 38343 or charity of ones choice.
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